8 of the best cruises around the world for curious travellers

Designed for discerning, grown-up adventurers who enjoy exploring in style and understated luxury, Viking’s river, ocean and expedition voyages are a world away from the mainstream.

Sailing ‘The Viking Way’ has captured the imaginations of savvy travellers worldwide. But what exactly does this mean? It might be easier to define what it is not. Viking ships do not accommodate under-18s; there are no kids’ clubs, casinos, art auctions, inside staterooms, formal nights, charges for WiFi, charges for wine and beer served with meals, entrance fees for the fabulous spa on ocean ships or waiting in lines. There are no glitzy shows or white-gloved waiters hovering in the dining room – the emphasis is firmly on cultural exploration and destination immersion.

Viking’s 70-plus river ships – many of them the line’s distinctive longships – traverse the major waterways of Europe, Asia, Africa and the US. The ocean fleet, which launched in 2015, features 10 award-winning, all-balcony ships that accommodate a maximum of 998 guests, sailing to every corner of the globe. Eight more Viking ocean ships will set sail between 2024 and 2029. Two state-of-the-art, 378-pax expedition ships – Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis – will explore the polar regions, including incredible ‘Longitudinal World Cruises’ between the Arctic and Antarctica. They’ll also head into the further reaches of North and South America.

All Viking ships share an elegant, Scandinavian design sensibility. Onboard enrichment, whether expert lectures, artwork and libraries, or scientific facilities on the expedition ships, complement onshore experiences. It’s why Viking call themselves ‘The Thinking Person’s Cruise Line’.

Here are eight incredible Viking journeys to inspire the next adventure of the culturally curious traveller.

Explore the world in adventurous luxury.

1. Egypt

The wonders of Ancient Egypt – near-mythical temples, tombs and vast pyramids – have fascinated travellers for centuries. Three days in Cairo, where the Pharoahs & Pyramids voyage of discovery begins and ends, allow time to take in the world’s oldest pyramid (the Sakkara Step Pyramid) and Giza’s monumental Great Pyramids and Great Sphinx. The Cairo Citadel and Museum of Egyptian Antiquities are must-visits; shopaholics and history buffs alike can spend hours browsing the vibrant Khan el-Khalili Market.

The living history lessons continue as you cruise the Nile from Luxor to Esna, Qena, Aswan and Edfu, accompanied by Viking’s expert Egyptologists. Among innumerable highlights, you’ll have privileged access to Queen Nefertiti’s tomb, explore the Temple of Karnak, sail on a traditional felucca and meet a traditional Nubian family.

Step into the awe-inspiring Temple of Rameses.

2. Malta

Valletta, Malta’s capital, is one of the most beautiful harbour cities you can sail into. Built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century, its imposing fortified walls surround a collection of UNESCO World Heritage-listed palaces, churches, gardens and medieval streets.

Viking’s Malta, Morocco & Mediterranean voyage spends two days in Valletta, where expert-led tours take you even further back in time. Dating back more than 5,000 years, the Hagar Qim temple is older than the Egyptian pyramids; you’ll also have privileged access to the nearby Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, an astonishing underground tomb complex.

Maybe the 18th century is more your style? Take a guided tour of Palazzo Parisio and marvel at its grand rooms, opulent décor and formal gardens.

Catch the stunning sight of the Cathedral of Saint Paul as you enter Valletta.

3. Norway

Seeing the mystical Northern Lights dance across an Arctic sky is an experience you’ll never forget, and Norway’s far north is one of the best places to see them. Although its scenic fjords and rugged coastline attract thousands of visitors in the summer, the country is an uncrowded, snow-clad wonderland in winter.

Between January and March, In Search of the Northern Lights offers endless opportunities for adventure. Think dog sledding, snowmobile rides, snowshoe hikes, sea kayaking and helicopter flightseeing, to name a few.

Meeting a reindeer-herding family in a small village offers an eye-opening glimpse into indigenous Sami culture. These hospitable people will take you on a reindeer-sled ride and invite you to lunch in a traditional lavvu tent afterwards, to share their stories.

Stand in awe as the Aurora Borealis dances above you.

4. Romania

While many European countries struggle to deal with overtourism, Romania’s treasures are relatively unheralded. Viking’s Passage to Eastern Europe on the Danube offers an illuminating introduction to Bucharest, a city reminiscent of Paris – spacious boulevards and parks, elegant Art Nouveau apartment buildings, cool cafes and upscale restaurants – even an Arc de Triomphe lookalike.

Grandiose Communist-era buildings, such as the massive Palace of Parliament, are as much a part of Romania’s convoluted past as the humble rural dwellings brought from all over the country to reside in the fascinating Village Museum.

As your ship sails westwards along the Danube, you’ll traverse the dramatic Iron Gate Gorges between Romania and Serbia, site of the famous 55-metre high sculpture of Dacian king Decebalus – and be amazed all over again by the intricacies of Balkan history.

Discover Bucharest’s vibrant streets and historic charm as you explore Romania’s capital.

5. Portugal

Two days in Portugal’s vibrant capital, Lisbon, precede a memorable voyage on the Douro River that sets sail on an eight-day round-trip from the lovely old city of Porto. Porto’s wealth was built on Portugal’s port wine business, which was established in the 17th century. Today, you can join guided tours of historic cellars in the Vila Nova de Gaia district to sample the distinctive fortified wines and discover why Douro is known as the ‘River of Gold’.

You’ll be further immersed in the world of viticulture with visits to the charming riverside towns of Régua, Pinhão and Barca d’Alva, where you can have lunch – washed down with Portugal’s ‘young’ Vinho Verde wines – in a beautifully restored railway house one day and in the shadow of a medieval castle the next.

Enjoy two vibrant days in Lisbon before a memorable Douro River cruise.

6. Antarctica

An expedition voyage to Antarctica tops many a traveller’s bucket list. It’s the ultimate adventure, a voyage of discovery that takes you to one of the world’s remotest wildernesses – and you can experience it all in comfort and style onboard one of Viking’s two industry-leading expedition vessels.

Purpose-built for the polar regions and launched in 2022, the 378-guest Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are each equipped with two seven-person submarines, 17 zodiacs, two 12-seat convertible Special Operations Boats and sea kayaks, ensuring guests can get right up close to the White Continent’s magnificent scenery and wildlife.

The 13-day Antarctic Explorer voyage operates between November and February and starts with a night in Buenos Aires before departing Ushuaia for the Drake Passage crossing and the magnificent Antarctic Peninsula.

Set sail to Antarctica and marvel at its pristine icy wilderness.

7. Greenland

It’s the world’s biggest island – not a continent like Australia – and not very green because much of it is within the Arctic Circle. Nuuk, where the expedition voyage Into the Northwest Passage starts, lies about 240 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, at the mouth of the 160-kilometre Nuup Kangerlua fjord.

A visit to the little capital city’s Katuaq Cultural Center provides an excellent introduction to Greenland’s Inuit heritage, while kayaking and boat tours on the fjord frequently offer dramatic sightings of whales and other marine life.

Another highlight of the five ports of call in Greenland is Ilulissat, UNESCO World Heritage listed for the natural beauty and scientific significance of its Ilulissat ice fjord. It’s a photographer’s dream: in summer, colourful wooden houses and carpets of wildflowers are set against a dazzling snowy backdrop.

Stroll through Greenland and marvel at the vibrant hues of its charming, colourful houses.

8. Svalbard/Iceland

Viking’s 15-day Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer departs from cosmopolitan Bergen and traces Norway’s rugged coastline north to the distant shores of the Svalbard archipelago, before heading south to Iceland.

It’s a bucket-list voyage to the lands of the midnight sun, featuring a wealth of natural attractions and Arctic wonders – Geiranger Fjord, Tromsø and the remote North Cape, just to name a few.

Two days in Longyearbyen, the capital of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, offer everything the adventurous traveller could desire. There are ATV tours and dogsledding wagon rides, a visit to a summer husky camp, a thrilling water safari to observe basking walrus and nesting seabirds and sea-kayaking on spectacular Sassenfjord.

You can even go down a coal mine to learn firsthand about the region’s industrial heritage, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Isn’t that what culturally curious travel is all about?

Explore Iceland’s dramatic landscapes and volcanic wonders on your adventure.

For more information on itineraries to all seven continents, visit vikingcruises.com.au.